Apopka Mayor-Elect Nick Nesta.
From Staff Reports
Editor's Note: As four members of the Apopka City Commission prepare to take the oath of office on April 28 and then take their seats on the dais for their first meeting on May 6, the city's direction will begin to take shape. The Apopka Voice asked each commissioner, commissioner-elect, and mayor-elect a simple question: What are your top priorities for the coming year? Their responses, presented in this five-part series, offer an early look at how each intends to lead—and what residents can expect as a new chapter begins at City Hall.
In Summary:
Nick Nesta is actively preparing for his first 100 days by meeting with department leaders, evaluating operations, and organizing the transition to new leadership. He plans to work with commissioners and staff to define shared priorities and improve how the city functions. His early focus centers on communication, responsible growth, and strengthening infrastructure planning.
*****
As he prepares to take office, Apopka Mayor-Elect Nick Nesta is already mapping out his first steps—meeting with staff, organizing the transition, and setting the groundwork for how City Hall will operate in the months ahead.
Related: Nesta enters mayor's race calling for transparency, planning, and a reset.
“First, I want to thank the residents of Apopka for their support and trust throughout this election,” Nesta said. “I’m honored by the opportunity to serve our community as Mayor, and I take that responsibility very seriously. During my first 100 days in office, my priority will be building a strong foundation to move our city forward. That begins with meeting with department directors, managers, and the employees who serve our residents every day to better understand current operations, staffing needs, and how we can ensure our teams have the tools and support they need to succeed in serving our residents.”
That approach reflects a broader theme that defined his campaign and continues into his transition.
“Before making any changes, it’s important to listen,” Nesta said. “I want to take the time to understand what is working well across the organization and where improvements can be made to strengthen how the city staff serves our community.”
To manage the change in leadership, Nesta said he plans to establish a group to guide the handoff and keep operations steady.
“As part of this effort, I will also be assembling a transition team to help ensure a smooth and professional transition of leadership from the current administration,” he said. “My goal is to work collaboratively through this process so the city continues operating while we prepare for the next chapter.”
Nesta said that collaboration will extend beyond the transition period, with an emphasis on working alongside the commissioners and City employees to improve operations.
“Over the coming months, I will be working closely with the City Commission and staff to identify shared priorities for the year ahead,” he said. “My focus will remain on improving communication, supporting responsible growth, strengthening infrastructure planning, and ensuring the city continues providing the level of service residents expect and deserve.”
As he prepares to take the oath of office, Nesta said his approach will center on aligning the city around shared priorities and a common direction.
“I’m committed to working for all residents of Apopka, and I look forward to bringing people together as we begin this next chapter for our city,” he said.
Nesta’s approach reflects a leadership style that prioritizes structure over speed, emphasizing understanding how the city operates before advancing changes. As a new commission takes shape, that method may be tested alongside calls to move more quickly on long-standing issues. How those approaches come together may ultimately define not just the pace of progress, but the tone of leadership in the months ahead.
Key Points:
- Nesta is meeting with department leaders and staff to assess operations and needs
- He is organizing the leadership transition to maintain continuity at City Hall
- He plans to work closely with commissioners to define shared priorities
- He is focusing on improving communication across departments and with residents
- He is prioritizing responsible growth and stronger infrastructure planning
*****
For Tomorrow: As the new commission prepares to take office, a look at how their priorities come together—and where they may diverge.
